The Swadhisthana Chakra is the 2nd chakra of the seven primary chakras in the body as per the Tantric Hindu and Buddhist traditions, and it is known by the names of the Sacral Chakra, Second Chakra, Chakra 2, and the Orange Chakra as well. The terminology arises from either the position or function of the chakra, or the color of the light spectrum associated with it.

Location:

The position of Sacral Chakra in the body is near the coccyx or the tailbone, approximately few centimeters upward of the Root Chakra. The pubic bone corresponds to this chakra at the front of the body, while it enjoys intimate relation with the functioning of the genitals, and reproductive organs of the body, such as testes and ovaries.

Appearance:

The most common description of the Second Chakra is that of a black lotus, which features six petals in vermillion color. Two circles inside the lotus forms a crescent shape, representing Lord Varuna, with the outer circle featuring eight outward pointing petals, while the inner circle features eight inner facing petals.

Seed Mantra:

The seed mantra for the Swadhisthana 2nd Chakra is the moon-white Vam, with the dot above it in its Sanskrit form containing Lord Vishnu within it. Moreover, the six petals of the black lotus features the Sanskrit letter Ba, Bha, Ma, Ya, Ra, and La.

Function:

The Swadhisthana Sacral Chakra is one of the three lower chakras in the subtle body, and it is intimately associated with strength and vitality. Proper functioning of this chakra is essential for optimum development of the five senses, as well as, the presence of physical and sexual vitality and appetite. This chakra 2 also plays the important role of enabling individuals to grow out of the shadows of their parents and lead a successful life independently. Moreover, it renders individuals with the power of imagination, dedication, and wisdom to make a mark in both their personal and professional spheres with ease.

Association with the body:

The Sacral Chakra, being one of the lower chakra, is predominantly associated with various organs in the lower half of the body. This includes the coccyx or tailbone, near which this chakra is located, as well as, the pubic bone that it corresponds to at the front of the body. Moreover, it enjoys a connection with the tongue in the upper region of the body by virtue of its association with the sense of taste. However, its most significant association is with the genitals, as well as, the reproductive organs, in form of testes in men and ovaries in women.

Behavioral characteristics:

The Swadhisthana Second Chakra is synonymous with the development of the senses in the body, as well as, the presence of energy and vitality that is essential for any individual to move forward in their personal and professional lives. The location of this chakra in the pelvic region makes it the seat of wisdom and gut feeling, both of which are necessary for success in life. This chakra also imparts a sense of optimism and enthusiasm in individuals, while also rendering them with a highly imaginative and creative bent of mind.

Imbalance:

Imbalances created to the functioning of the Sacral Chakra can lead to lack of appetite for food and sex, while also rendering individuals incapable of enjoying the optimal functioning of their senses. Moreover, it leads to lack of proper social skills, as well as, excessive rigidity and blurred sense of boundaries in relationships. Furthermore, individuals with malfunctioning of this chakra often suffer from excessive emotions and extreme mood swings. Individuals end up with deadened senses and a severe disconnect with the core spirit or soul, as well as, lack of creativity and imagination in every sphere of life.

Meditation:

The Swadhisthana Chakra is the centre of self, as well as, the chakra that controls the ability to enjoy the hedonistic aspect of life. The meditative practices are aimed at removing any imbalances in its functioning work by strengthening it and ensuring free flow of energy through it. Since water is the element for this chakra, meditative practices utilizing water can help in providing a sense of cleansing this chakra of all the impurities that block the flow of energy. Moreover, the meditative practices seek to provide more strength to the lower part of the by, and in the process strengthen the svadhisthana chakra located there.

Yoga Poses for Sacral Chakra:

Butterfly Pose:

The Butterfly Pose consists of being in a seated position with the soles of the feet touching each other, while the spine stays perfectly straight as if the person is resting against a wall. The aim of this exercise is to stretch the back and consequently strengthen the spine, while also providing fairly strenuous stretching workout to the hip region, and in the process improve the functioning of the Sacral Chakra. Practitioners can then pull their abdominals inwards, while stretching their body forward and upward to provide maximum stretching to the vertebrae. This will help in improving the spinal alignment, while also ensuring that the lower part of the body receives much workout as well.

Dancer Pose:

The Dancer Pose is quite a challenging pose to master, but its benefits stretch from the quadriceps to the hips, back, and the shoulders. The practitioners need to grab their feet, as they would do while doing quadriceps stretch, and push the knees towards the floor while pulling the heel towards their bottom. If they have trouble finding the right balance, they can concentrate upon the Second Chakra by feeling the abdominal muscles engaged in the act. However, the benefit of this exercise extends to the strengthening of all the lower chakras in the body.

Bridge Pose:

The Bridge Pose is about lying down on the floor, and lifting the hips by walking towards the bottom while staying in that lying position. Practitioners can place a towel under their neck to reduce pressure, while focusing on their back to enhance its strength. They should try and focus this strengthening feeling up to the tailbone, and in the process enhance the functioning of the Sacral Chakra. Practitioners must take care to keep their knees directly over their feet while they lift their back as high as they could because feet width higher than hip width apart can result in instabilities in the knees, and consequent strain on the back.

First Warrior Pose:

The First Warrior Pose requires the practitioners to lunge forward into a low position by keeping the front leg in a fairly deep bend, while keeping the hip in closed state towards the front knee. The trick is to keep in a straight position, and drop the tailbone towards the floor with the help of the abdominal muscles. This way, the practitioners are able to activate the Base Chakra, and enable this released energy to flow unimpeded through the 2nd Chakra upwards towards the higher chakras. Therefore, this exercise helps in the flow of energy through the entire Chakra Sacral system.

Goddess Pose:

The Goddess Pose involves the practitioners starting on a lying position, and then walking the feet toward the bottom, but keeping the back straight at all times. This is important because the lower back has a natural tendency to arch, which the practitioners should try to avoid as much as they can. People can provide more strength to their Second Chakra by rolling their knees to the side, and press the soles of the feet together while opening up their arms to the sides to feel free. They can then let their limbs and back to sink even further, and in the process provide more workouts to their back.

Crescent Moon Pose:

The Crescent Moon Pose involves the same lunging position, but with the knee of the back leg lowered to the ground and the arm extended upwards while the hips are pushed forward. The arching of the back renders this pose with the name of Kneeling Warrior Pose as well, and it is suitable for people with slipped or collapsed disc unlike the regular Warrior Pose. As the practitioners feel their spine arch back, they should also feel the release of the energy from the base of the chakra system, and its rise through the Sacral Chakra.

Pigeon Pose:

The Pigeon Pose is aimed at strengthening quite a few of the big muscles present in the lower back region, and in the process help in removing any impediments to the flow of energy through the Sacral Chakra. Practitioners need to begin by sitting on their heels, and then moving their right leg forward while stretching the left leg back ward but keeping it straight whereas bending the front leg. People with no history of serious problems in the knees or hips can then proceed towards rotating the front knee open to activate quite a few muscles at the same time. Alternating between the two legs will help in providing maximum benefit to the lower chakras of the body.

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Exercise Disclaimer:

The exercise advice presented on this website are not intended as a substitute for medical consultation. So please consult your local healthcare provider FIRST before starting any exercise, to reduce the risk of any injury.